A theoretical and experimental study of non-perfect grain boundary dislocations

The aim of this paper is to discuss the possible appearance of non-perfect grain boundary dislocations in grain boundaries in a variety of materials. To begin with, we survey some of the different theoretical treatments which enable grain boundary dislocations and grain boundary structures to be described. The emphasis is put on more recent ideas, and on illustrating the power of group theory in identifying non-perfect grain boundary dislocations. A derivation of the geometric characteristics of interfacial dislocations is carried out in a simple and tutorial way, in a number of representative examples. It is shown that grain boundary dislocations may be divided into three classes: (1) perfect grain boundary dislocations, (2) imperfect grain boundary dislocations, and (3) partial grain boundary dislocations. Experimental transmission electron microscope evidence is then presented for boundaries in the diamond cubic structure, and it is shown that imperfect and partial grain boundary dislocations play an important role in this system. Finally, a comparison of some grain boundary dislocation types in different materials is given.